[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 65 (Monday, May 20, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S4565]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING THE TOWN OF WILTON, CT, ON ITS BICENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY

 Mr. DODD. Mr. President, I rise today to commemorate the Town 
of Wilton, CT, on celebrating its bicentennial anniversary as a 
separate municipality.
  Incorporated by the Connecticut General Assembly from the parent Town 
of Norwalk, CT, on Monday, May 20, 1802, Wilton is a vibrant community 
steeped in both history and culture, and a paradigm of the 
quintessential New England town. Settled as early as 1640, Wilton grew 
from 40 recorded families in 1726 to its present population of over 
17,000. While the town has been successful in maintaining a small 
tight-knit community atmosphere, it has greatly benefitted from its 
location in Fairfield County and proximity to New York City. Modern 
Wilton is blessed with a diverse population, a strong economy, and a 
plethora of different industries.
  From the day 263 residents volunteered to fight to uphold American 
liberty in the Revolutionary War, the people of Wilton have continually 
demonstrated admirable patriotism during many different eras. Over the 
years, the town has also become keenly aware of its own heritage. 
Through a variety of innovative preservation efforts undertaken by the 
Wilton Historical Society, dozens of historical houses and buildings 
dating from the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries have been protected for 
the benefit of future generations. One of these estates happens to be 
the only National Park in Connecticut, the Weir Farm National Historic 
Site. Home to impressionist painter Julian Alden Weir for over 40 
years, the residence is considered a birthplace of the American 
Impressionist movement in the 1890s.
  To celebrate the town bicentennial, the people of Wilton will be 
holding several different traditional festivities during the month of 
May. In addition, 20 Wilton residents will be cycling from Washington, 
DC, to Wilton in a special ``BikeCentennial.'' The entourage will 
travel across Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and part of Connecticut 
before arriving at Wilton on July 4.
  Once again, I would like to commemorate the town of Wilton on its 
bicentennial anniversary. I wish the town and its residents continued 
vibrancy and success for many generations to come.

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